Chaplaincy

Information

Chaplaincy

“Dear young people, let us not be satisfied with a mediocre life. Be amazed by what is true and beautiful, what is of God!” – Pope Francis

Chaplaincy is supported by a number of staff and pupils from across the school.

What is Chaplaincy?

Perhaps Chaplaincy can best be explained through our mission statement – Growing Together in the Spirit of Christ’s Love. We believe that school is a holy place because Christ is at the heart of all we do and are and strive for at All Hallows.

We aim to serve all the members of our school community by offering encouragement, support and friendship. We help to create and nurture the Christian Ethos of the school through the Celebration of the Eucharist, Liturgy and Prayer, the school retreat programme, parish links, spiritual direction, justice and peace issues and the youth .S.V.P community group. It is also to be found in the very ordinary, day to day running of the school by our witness and awareness of the Christian values of truth, compassion and love. Ethos is not an easy thing to describe but it can be felt and seen throughout the school.

Support & Spiritual direction

Pastoral and spiritual care in the school is highly valued and pupils have access to many different services. There is always someone to help and support, especially at times of crisis. Besides the care they receive from teachers and learning managers, the Chaplain’s office is always open to all pupils for an informal chat or a quiet word whenever it is needed.

Celebration of the Eucharist

We celebrate Mass together regularly. It is always a voluntary celebration either as a whole school (on All Saints day) or at lunchtime, each half term. We celebrate a Mass of Welcome for the Year Sevens and a Year Eleven Leaver’s Mass. We also have an annual Family Mass in one of our feeder school parishes, as well as Masses to commemorate the feasts of each of our form patron saints: St. Bernadette Soubirous, St. Catherine of Sienna, St. Francis of Assisi, St. John Bosco, and St. Vincent de Paul.

Throughout the year there are various liturgies, services of Reconciliation and assemblies. Our chapel is open daily for pupils and staff, which contains a prayer board where intentions can be left to be prayed for by the whole school community. Since our school mission in 2011 we provide ‘Breakfast with God’ every other Friday at 8.30am. Pupils come for tea, toast and prayer!

Liturgical Ministry

We encourage all to take a full and active role in the preparation of the prayer life of the school, particularly with animating the Liturgy as musicians, readers, and Eucharistic Ministers. A well-prepared liturgy helps others to pray and come closer to God. Those who help prepare the liturgy offer a unique service to the rest of the school community and can develop a deeper awareness of what it means to pray as the Church.

The School Retreat Programme

The school runs a very successful retreat programme. Every pupil has the opportunity to spend time away at Lowe House, Castlerigg Manor, or Savio House. It is a most valuable and enjoyable time for pupils and staff who accompany them. They spend time getting to know each other and themselves a little better, as well as exploring their relationship with God. They do this through team building, reflection, prayer, and having fun.

Parish Links

We value our parish links and very much appreciate the support and encouragement of the clergy. Fr. Philip Inch is our Parish Priest and is a regular visitor to the school. Our desire is to continue and develop these links through our services of Reconciliation and various Masses and celebrations.

Justice and Peace / CAFOD

As a faith community, justice and peace is an important element of Chaplaincy. We support several charities but our main charity is CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development). We are a Fairtrade school and support CAFOD all year, particularly twice a year on Harvest Fast Day in October and the Lenten Fast Day in March. We raise awareness and money for those in greater need.

S.V.P Group (Saint Vincent de Paul)

This really is faith in action; a faith-based group where pupils go out into the community to give their time and care. These placements will often include care homes, nurseries, charity shops and the like. Our focus at present is the talking newspapers for the visually impaired. A small group go to Galloways home for the partially sighted, to prepare the recorded papers for going out. In school, the pupils record the Catholic Pictorial for distribution throughout the Liverpool Diocese.

“The Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity and the joy that is so characteristic of you.

‘Do not be afraid!’ When we go to proclaim Christ, it is he himself who goes before us and guides us. When he sent his disciples on mission, he promised: ‘I am with you always’ (Mt 28:20). And this is also true for us! Jesus does not leave us alone, he never leaves you alone! He always accompanies you.” – Pope Francis at World Youth Day 2013